In this episode of Wit + Grit, we are joined by Doug Wright MBE DL - a man whose life reads like a masterclass in resilience and service.

Doug shares how he went from failing his exams and disappointing his parents to finding purpose on 93p an hour at McDonald’s, becoming the youngest restaurant manager, and then having his world turned upside down after a devastating car accident that left him temporarily paralysed from the neck down.

He talks candidly about the charities that supported his family during that time, how that shaped his lifelong commitment to giving back, and how he eventually became a McDonald’s franchisee with just £612 to his name, growing to 26 restaurants across the West Midlands.

Doug opens up about:

• The Kids Village project – a UK-first respite holiday village for seriously ill children and their families – and how they’ve just raised £5.3m, opening three years ahead of schedule.

• Why his two non-negotiables are “honest and hardworking”, and how “why wouldn’t we?” became the heart of his culture.

• What he’s learned from mentoring hundreds of business owners, his time as High Sheriff of the West Midlands, and why he believes sport and food are the international languages of connection.

• The advice he’d give to 16-year-old Doug after that first shift cleaning toilets: “Well done fella – keep going, be yourself, and don’t do it alone.”

If you care about people-first leadership, community impact and staying positive in the hardest moments, this one will stay with you.

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Key Takeaways

• Resilience isn’t theory – it’s lived: Doug broke his neck at 20 and was told he might never walk again. That moment became his lightbulb: if I get through this, I’ll use my life as a force for good.

• Someone believing in you can change everything: McDonald’s gave him a chance when he was “pretty much unemployable”. That belief is now the core of how he hires, leads, and mentors.

• From 93p an hour to 26 restaurants: With just £612 and one bank willing to back him, Doug built a multi-restaurant franchise, employing 66,000 people over 44 years.

• Two H’s and two promises: If you bring Honest and Hardworking, Doug promises you’ll be made to feel valued and special.

• Why wouldn’t we? Instead of shutting people out because they don’t fit a rigid corporate rulebook, Doug’s default is to ask “Why wouldn’t we?” – especially around flexible work and opportunity.

• Retention > recruitment: Hospitality has huge staff turnover. Doug flipped the model – investing heavily in retention, development and trust instead of endlessly chasing new hires.

• Articulate the WHY before you shake the bucket: In charity work (Ronald McDonald House, Kids Village), Doug doesn’t start with asking for money. He starts with a compelling why, builds love for the cause, then shows clear impact.

• Third-party advocacy beats self-promotion: Let the people you serve tell the story – families, children, and community voices are more powerful than any CEO speech.

• Sport and food as international languages: Sport (and a good meal) can bring people together across cultures, languages and divides – especially in an “angry world”.

• Advice to young people (and 16-year-old Doug): Be yourself, be proud of what you’re doing, protect your mental health, step away from social media, and don’t try to do life alone.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Doug Wright's Journey

01:17 The Kids Village Initiative

05:48 Early Life and Career Beginnings

12:17 Overcoming Adversity: The Accident

15:20 Recovery and Ambitions

17:09 Becoming a McDonald's Franchisee

18:51 Building a Business and Non-Negotiables

19:43 Transforming Workplace Culture

23:43 The Journey of Growth and Community Engagement

26:55 Mentorship and Empowering the Next Generation

31:43 Charitable Work and Community Impact

36:26 The Power of Sport in Uniting Communities

40:17 Reflections on Retirement and Future Aspirations